Failure to Maintain Functional Handicap Door Push Buttons at Main Entrance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to keep essential entrance equipment, specifically the front entrance handicap door push buttons, in safe working condition and failed to ensure staff reported malfunctions. A family member reported that the main entrance handicap door did not open when the button was pressed, and the lead receptionist stated that one of the front entrance push buttons had not been working for a few months, while another unit entrance button was working. When questioned, the maintenance staff initially stated that no one had reported any issues with the handicap push buttons. Upon inspection with surveyors, the maintenance staff confirmed that all three front entrance handicap push buttons were not working, even though they believed the doors had been functioning days earlier. A resident who uses a motorized wheelchair and has intact cognition reported that the buttons had worked during a recent family visit, suggesting intermittent function. Subsequent observations by surveyors showed that, after the maintenance staff stated the buttons were working again, only two of the three front entrance buttons functioned, with the outside front entrance button still failing to open the door. On multiple occasions, surveyors pressed the outside front entrance handicap push button and the door did not open, despite an invoice indicating that repairs had been made and rusty connections found. The maintenance staff later acknowledged that the outside button was again reported as not working and that a replacement pad had been ordered. Review of the facility’s logbook showed that door operations, including locks, gates, and alarms, were tested and documented twice weekly, but the handicap push buttons were not specifically included on the form. The maintenance staff stated that they checked the handicap buttons weekly but did not have them listed on the documentation and also admitted that the usual checks were not performed on the most recent Monday or Tuesday, contrary to the facility’s preventative maintenance policy that requires scheduled and documented maintenance of equipment to ensure a safe, operable environment.
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